Perseverance is one of the key traits associated with the American identity. The short story “The soft-hearted Sioux” by Zitkala-Sa is a perfect example of this trait. The main character of this story is a Native American who wishes to follow a path different from his ancestors. Despite the pressure from his tribe, the young man remained steadfast in his intention to hunt “for the soft heart of Christ” and stubbornly followed and preached the Biblical teachings (Zitkala-Sa, 2003, p. 71). His struggles led him to a situation where the death of his relative was inevitable, which drove him to do anything he could to avoid it. The act of stealing and killing another man was unthinkable for a priest, who was taught Christian values, yet his situation forced him to abandon the ideals that were leading his parents to their death (Zitkala-Sa, 2003). Such strength of character that revealed itself during critical decisions highlights the perseverance of Native Americans.
The second source is a non-fictional one, which is a speech given by Tecumseh to his people to encourage them and fight against the colonists. He spoke of the great burden put on men who needed to unite in order to protect themselves and the honor of their ancestors (Tecumseh, n.d.). Despite acknowledging the immense force that was opposing their community, Native Americans did not fear their enemy but sought a path to defend their way of life. What resources necessary for battle were missing, they would find it if they only put their mind to this task, as the Great Spirit assists their cause (Tecumseh, n.d.). The solid support was meant to instill the will to fight against all odds. In conclusion, perseverance is a core trait that many characters that represent American values possess, which is apparent throughout the country’s history.
References
Tecumseh. (n.d.). Tecumseh’s speech to the Osages (Winter 1811-12). History Is A Weapon. Web.
Zitkala-Sa. (2003). The soft-hearted Sioux. In American Indian stories (pp. 67-77). University of Nebraska Press.